India-Pakistan: Escalation

Lord Callanan Excerpts

Wednesday 7th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

My Lords, the dramatic escalation of tensions that the Minister has referred to between India and Pakistan is, to put it mildly, cause for great concern. Since the terror attack in Kashmir last month, both countries have engaged in tit-for-tat measures against each other, including expelling diplomats, suspending visas and closing border crossings. However, the level of violence that we have now seen marks a significant shift in how the fallout from the attack is being conducted. Indian authorities have said that the sites that they targeted were “terrorist infrastructure” and places where Kashmir attacks were “planned and directed”. These Benches are clear that India should always hold the right to take reasonable and proportionate steps to defend itself from further terror attacks. The UK has long-standing security agreements with India, and we are in a position to support our partners in combating terrorist threats, which affect us all collectively.

I ask the Minister what assistance the Government are providing to Indian authorities to help protect against further terrorist attacks, and does he agree that the UK should act in partnership with India to prevent further terror attacks from being undertaken against its population? We discussed this matter in the aftermath of the Kashmir attacks last month. Noble Lords on all sides of the House implored the Government to urge restraint and to use their diplomatic leverage with both sides to prevent a further escalation of violence, which many feared could be on the horizon. Can the Minister please update the House on the talks that his Government had with both Indian and Pakistani authorities in the immediate aftermath of those Kashmir attacks? Does he believe that the Government should change the way that they approach these discussions, given the further violence that we have witnessed this week?

Finally, I will touch on how this escalation could affect diaspora communities here in the UK. There is, of course, a risk that the tensions that we are seeing played out on the world stage could affect communities from those respective countries in Britain. While working to encourage peace and de-escalation on the world stage, we have also to make sure that we secure it here at home. Please could the Minister outline the steps that the Government are taking to work with these respective communities here in the UK in order to prevent tensions from becoming more serious? Can he assure the House that the Government will work with partners in the police and security services to help to keep these communities safe?

Recent events have demonstrated that an information gap can inflame conspiracy theories and empower those who seek to spread false information at home, particularly on social media. I appreciate that this is, of course, a developing situation, but I hope that the Minister can appreciate the importance of keeping the House and the country updated on any further clarification that the Government receive on the details of these events to help dispel some of that misinformation. Can the Minister please commit to keeping the House updated on this matter as and when further information is forthcoming?

The escalation that we have seen is immensely serious, and both communities in the region and at home are deeply concerned about what further violence may hold. I urge the Government to redouble their efforts and to make every use of the diplomatic relations that we have with both India and Pakistan to encourage a non-violent resolution to this matter. Violence begets violence, and a peaceful resolution must be at the heart of the Government’s efforts to engage with both India and Pakistan. However, we also have a duty to support India in its efforts to prevent any further terror attacks from being committed against its own people. The Government also have a duty to make sure that these tensions are not imported into the UK, and I hope the Minister can provide reassurance to the House that this risk has been identified and is being managed.

[Baroness Northover (LD)]

My Lords, I also thank the Minister for repeating the Statement in the House. Reports of Indian military strikes against locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Pakistan, as well as shelling by Pakistan, are indeed very alarming. Particularly as we have here two nuclear powers, it becomes even more vital that India and Pakistan de-escalate the current crisis and avoid engaging in further action. Maintaining open lines of communication is clearly vital. Can the Minister spell out what further engagement the UK Government plan with these Governments and with other partners, including the UN, to help maintain an open dialogue between them and to support international attempts at mediation? Once again, violence is not the answer.

The murder of 26 people was indeed horrific, and every effort must be made to bring the gunmen to justice. Terrorists have an interest in destabilising both sides, and that is why it is vital to engage with the leaders on both sides, so I would like to know more about how the Government are working to support that open dialogue between India and Pakistan. I know that it has been very difficult over the years, but, specifically, how are the Government working alongside international partners to encourage New Delhi to reverse its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and how are the Government working with Islamabad to agree to reopen its airspace to Indian-owned airlines? What else can the international community do to help stabilise relations now? Can the Minister fill in more detail about what is being done to support British citizens in the area?

The Government also need to ensure that all those of Indian and Pakistani descent living in the United Kingdom are fully supported. For many, the latest escalations will be of grave concern to them and their families. How are the UK Government working to support these communities in the wake of recent escalation? As the noble Lord, Lord Callanan, just mentioned, there is a risk that social media disinformation may inflame matters here. How is that being monitored and addressed? Can the Minister spell out what the Government are doing?

We indeed face so many conflicts—Ukraine, the Middle East, which we have just discussed, and Sudan—so many global challenges; therefore, everything must be done to stop this escalating into yet another. I look forward to the Minister’s reply.